This study examines the effects of having a usual source of care (USC) on healthcare utilization, healthcare expenditures, visit frequency, and unmet medical needs among people with disabilities, and aims to draw policy implications for improving the ...
This study examines the effects of having a usual source of care (USC) on healthcare utilization, healthcare expenditures, visit frequency, and unmet medical needs among people with disabilities, and aims to draw policy implications for improving the disability healthcare system. Using the first-wave data of the Korea Health Panel, the analysis focuses on adults aged 20 years and older with disabilities and applies a two-part panel regression framework grounded in Andersen’s Behavioral Model. In the first stage, outpatient service use is analyzed, while in the second stage, outpatient healthcare expenditures—defined as the sum of medical institution payments and outpatient prescription drug costs—are examined. Visit frequency and unmet medical needs are also analyzed, and a separate analysis is conducted for individuals whose USC is a clinic-level provider.
The results show that having a USC is associated with a significant reduction in unmet medical needs among people with disabilities, while being linked to higher levels of outpatient healthcare expenditures. Notably, in the analysis including all types of USCs, no significant increase was observed in outpatient service use or visit frequency despite higher expenditures, suggesting more intensive outpatient care. In contrast, the analysis focusing on clinic-level USCs reveals a significant increase in outpatient visit frequency, indicating that, at the primary care level, USCs are more likely to strengthen continuity of care rather than intensifying individual visits.
verall, the findings suggest that having a USC helps people with disabilities receive healthcare services when they are needed, although higher outpatient expenditures may increase short-term financial burdens. Therefore, when strengthening primary care policies such as the disability primary care physician program, it is necessary to consider cost-sharing structures alongside clearer role differentiation and coordination across healthcare provider types.
This study provides evidence that the effects of having a USC differ by provider type, with overall USCs associated with greater service intensity and clinic-level USCs characterized by increased visit frequency. These findings offer important empirical evidence for designing future disability-related health policies.